Blind 11-Foot Alligator Seized From Home After Owner Allowed The Public To Get Into The Pool With It

In a surprising turn of events in upstate New York, officials confiscated an alligator from its owner after discovering that visitors were being allowed to enter the water to interact with the creature.

The alligator, affectionately named Albert by its owner, was found to be suffering from a range of health issues.

Notably, Albert was blind in both eyes and had spinal problems, which raised concerns about his well-being.

The owner of Albert, a resident of Hamburg, Buffalo, had once possessed a valid permit for the alligator, believed to be around 30 years old.

Credit: X / @NYSDEC

Unfortunately, this permit expired in 2021 and was not renewed, putting the legality of Albert's living situation into question.

Adding to the concern, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation revealed that the owner had been letting guests wade into the water to pet the massive reptile.

To accommodate Albert, an in-ground swimming pool had been installed, making the setup even more unconventional.

Considering Albert's impressive size at 11 feet long and weighing approximately 750 pounds, allowing people to physically interact with him in such a manner posed significant risks.

The natural predatory behavior of alligators and crocodiles, which involves capturing prey with their jaws and submerging it underwater, underscores the potential danger of such close encounters.

The authorities intervened on Wednesday, March 13, after becoming aware of "the extent at which the owner was seriously endangering the public," according to a statement from the conservation department.

Following their intervention, Albert was placed under the care of a licensed individual, with plans underway to find him a permanent home where he can receive the appropriate care.

The ongoing investigation may lead to criminal charges against the owner, given the condition in which Albert was kept.

Additional evidence has been collected to support the case.

Credit: X / @NYSDEC

Despite the circumstances, Albert's owner, Tony Cavallaro, expressed a deep bond with the alligator, stating to Sky News that Albert had been a part of his life since the 1990s.

Cavallaro likened his relationship with Albert to that of a parent and child, insisting that he had never exposed anyone to danger. 

"I'm not dangerous, I'm not being unsafe with people," Cavallaro asserted, vowing to fight for Albert's return.

While alligators are afforded some level of federal protection in the United States, states have the authority to enact their own regulations, including the requirement to obtain a license for ownership.

Alligator-related fatalities in the US are relatively rare, with the CDC, as cited by LiveScience, reporting 10 deaths between 1999 and 2019 in the Southeastern US. 

However, the consensus remains that it's probably not a good idea to get into a pool with one.